An open letter to Nathan Fillion

First, I have to say that I admire your work. I’ve read many of your interviews and have come to respect you not only as a truly fine actor, but as an uncommonly intelligent human being.

But let’s get straight to the heart of the matter. It has come to my attention that in a recent interview, you said the following:

“If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.”

This struck a particular chord with me. As only a few months ago, I said very nearly the same thing. “If I ever get Stephen King famous,” I said, “I’ll buy the rights to Firefly and give it to Joss Whedon as a birthday present.”

Here’s the deal. My second book is about to come out. My publisher tells me there’s a decent chance of us selling a truly ridiculous number of copies. If this happens, I will have more money than I’ll know what to do with.

Except that’s not exactly true. I know exactly what I’d like to do with that money. I’d like to help you buy the rights to Firefly back from Fox.

I’m only a fledgling author. But by a strange twist of fate, I happen to be a fledgling author who is also an international bestseller.

Left to my own devices, I will probably spend my royalty money on useless bullshit. I will buy rare books and narwhal horns. If the book sells extremely well, I expect I’ll probably do something like buy an abandoned missile silo and convert it into my secret underground lair.

Clearly, this way lies madness.

Here is my thought. Alone, all we can do is dream wistful dreams of Firefly’s return. Together, we are a team. We can gather others to our cause. With 20 or 30 of the right people, we could pool our resources and make this shit happen.

You know where to find me.

Sincerely,

Patrick Rothfuss

* * *

Those of you who don’t happen to be Nathan Fillion, there’s a new interview over here. Rest assured, it’s spoiler-free.

On the same page, Paul Goat Allen gives The Wise Man’s Fear the best review I expect I will ever receive in my whole life. I’m serious. You’d think he wrote it after I pulled his children out of a burning building or something.

Or, if you’re in a listening mood, I’m on the Sword and Laser podcast with Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt. We talk about Jim Butcher and Cylons, among other things.

Patrick, now that the Facebook site “Help Nathan Buy Firefly” is over 91,000 strong would you please blog again to keep the momentum going and maybe more of your fans and followers will join our effort. Thank you very much!

I think it’d be great if everyone laid off the typo comments. I mean for christ’s sake, you’re not going to get a cookie for pointing it out. If there’s a typo in the new book, then you can complain. A blog? Please.

I don’t know. . .I think it would be helpful for Pat to post guidelines about what’s OK for corrections in the blog commentary.

Are typo comments unwelcome? Maybe if he didn’t notice he might like the chance to correct it? What about things that are generally unclear? Or mistaken? I suppose you could draw the line after misspellings, typos, or grammatical errors (I do), but still, some of those things can be genuinely confusing to ESL people. . .not to mention that after everyone on the planet has a fancy edition of the revered complete Kingkiller set in her living room, it is not unlikely that these blogs may be collected and published also. . .

IMO if a typo is noticed by a blog-reader and commented on, and the typo is then fixed, the helpful comment could then be removed by the administrator, since it would no longer be relevant.

I have just placed yet another order in for WMF strictly because I know that part of that will go towards (hopefully) this most brilliant of causes. Plus, it gives me more copies to throw at my friends in an effort to have them understand just how wonderful reading can be.

Hi Pat. Are you talking about Firefly by Piers Anthony? Or is it a different book? Way to go on the best fantasy novel in a long time, if not ever. Number two is pre-ordered, get to work on three. LOL Be well my friend.

*LE GASP*!!! Firefly is the awesome TV series created by Joss Whedon, it’s like space cowboys and stuff. It sounds weird, but trust me it is made of awesome.
If you have Netflix you can watch the entire series, as well as the follow up movie Serenity on their Watch Instantly program. Please do, you won’t be sorry. :o)

Somehow I liked the “buy an abandoned missile silo and convert it into my secret underground lair” much better than the rest.

But hey, I grew up in the north of Norway in the 70s, next to a huge USA/NATO-funded airstrip. We even had a “make a model of how this island would look after being hit by a Russian atmoic SS-20 missile at the airport” assignment at school. Calculated the we would die the first two seconds but grandma would survive the first blast but die within a week from radiation. Ah, the lovely cold war…

Wow, thank god the review was that good. I must admit to being a bit scared about the possibility of Wise Man’s Fear not living up to my redicilous expectations, but this makes me believe that wont be the case :D

If you’re serious about this, I would start the process of figuring out exactly how to purchase the rights and start a donation drive on one of the many social giving websites out there. I know that many, many, many people would be willing to chip in, myself included…

Look at the tags for this blog post: “Firefly, I am completely fucking serious, Joss Whedon”

He is completely fucking serious.

Still have to sit down and watch Firefly. I was planning on doing so when it starts to air on the Science channel next month. I was tempted to just go out and buy the DVD’s but I need to focus on my reread of “The Name of the Wind.” 200 more pages and 6 days to do it.

My favorite thing about the interview – it was on B&N. After reading it I checked in on WMF again and they had the Limited Edition Autographed version for sale finally. I got one of them and cancelled my other pre-order.

Pat, you deserved that review. I’ve force fed The Name of The Wind to quite a few reluctant readers, who in turn re-read the book as many as four times. I’ve been waiting for what seems a lifetime for the follow up and its finally here! I’m glad you took every minute you needed to make the book a masterpiece and I absolutely cannot wait to come to your signing on the 14th.

Better to buy Serenity and some towering beach front; then build a dream home around the ship. Make her your writing room so you can sit on the bridge, type and stare out on the endless horizon, on the lookout for Reavers and such.

Pat, before this I just wanted to buy you lunch some time. Now I want to kiss you. :)
(On the cheek, let’s keep it platonic as I don’t know how our wives might take this…)
You have gone to new heights in the awesome-sphere.

I’ve only recently started watching firefly, but was hooked in 10 seconds. Am very happy to see that half the internet is planning on raising money for the good cause of buying the series (and creating some more episodes of course).
Loved the interview, and just so you know that beard you’ve got is an amazing anti-achievement (ooh, alliteration :-)).

So I was about to comment with my novel and clever idea of suggesting you open this up to the Brown Coats and do a public donation drive… but then I read the comments and realized and not special after all.

Still, just to reinforce the case I’ll say… I would be willing to drop a couple of hundred bucks in order to have Nathan include me in the list of people he thanks in the DVD extra’s…

I finally had to register so I could reply to this one: BEST IDEA EVER!!!! I was thinking about Firefly again yesterday after seeing the newest episode of Castle. They mentioned “Serenity” more than once (as the name of a spa, but still…) and I swear Nathan got a sad little glint in his eye every time someone said it.

Ahh Firefly… my hope lies with a man who delivers, the man who raises amazing sums for world builders and who debuts as an auther on the international best sellers list (both of those things being dam near imposable).
I think my hope has a good chance of reality, to at last see the sky returned to Nathan Fillion and the world.
Good on ya Pat, I got $50 bucks if it comes to it mate, I think you will find others do to.

It is what many thousands of people consider the best television show ever made. I’m not exaggerating. I feel the same way. Patrick obviously loves it and he’s the one who turned me on to it.

Seriously? “tv show”? What’s the Sistine chapel? “I dunno, a church with some paint on it” If Pat’s letter is any kind of example, the show deserves a little effort on our part when it comes to enlightening new people. Don’t just tell people, make sure they want to watch it.

For some reason, an abandoned missile silo sounds cooler than buying the rights to Firefly (heresy, I know). I must find out what this Firefly phenomenon is all about and rectify my stance on this.
So, other than straight up buying the rights to Firefly, what would one have to do to perhaps join you in your abandoned missile silo? Sacrifice a goat to Tehlu? No, that should go to Worldbuilders.
Name my first child after a character in your series?
Buy 5,000 copes of the Name of the Wind and 10,000 copies of the Wise Man’s Fear?
I truly want to know.

If you like Firefly, run, don’t walk, to get a copy of Stephen R. Donaldson’s Gap series.

The five book series starts off with a novella called “The Real Story”. It’s a painful read, full of unpleasant people doing very unpleasant things. But it is extremely important to get through it, as it sets the stage for the rest of the saga.

If you get halfway through “Forbidden Knowledge” and you aren’t hooked, and you like Firefly, I’d be shocked. There are so many parallels that I almost wonder if Whedon used it as the basis for the characters in his TV show. The stories are different, yet there is a scene in Serenity that matches a nearly identical one in Book 4 of the Gap series, and the other similarities are too hard to ignore (roguish spaceship caption/smuggler, female first mate – heck, just read the books)

Until they make more Firefly, that series will give you the fix you need.

As much I as I think “The Name of the Wind” set a new standard for the genre, the Gap series did the same for space opera.

(Sorry to pimp another author on your blog, but you can only produce so much content and my copy of WMF should be on its way as soon as Amazon can ship it).

The order on the dvds is the intended order. The Fox executives felt the 2-episode pilot didn’t work as well for tv, so they commissioned the episode “The Train Job” which they used as the pilot. I can’t imagine watching the series in any other order but the Joss approved one.

You and the cast and creator of Firefly (including the women) are the most important men in my life. (Don’t tell my partner.) I admit I am torn by the thought of an underground lair hidden beneath a silo… oh distractions, BUT I hope this happens. I mean, there’s still (1) operating costs and (2) finding a network to run it (like The Science Channel who just purchased rights to air the re-runs plus some behind-the-scenes add-ons). Not to mention that the new season(s) would have to be BETWEEN season 1 and the movie (it wouldn’t be the same without Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass)…

Please, do not get my hopes up and then crush them to bits. They are already in a fine-powder-like state after Firefly cancellation numero uno.

I would more than gladly chip in several hundred dollars to this cause assuming there is a safe place for me to donate my funds. If you find somewhere reliable, could you please let us know? Hell, I think I trust you enough to just send you the money and let you give it to Nathan directly, if it comes down to that.

Oh my GOODNESS. Wiki is your friend, as always (to see a picture of the great man) but a clip on YouTube would demonstrate why the guy had such a cult following. He’s hilarious, and also sweet and wonderful. Hmmm. . .parallels? Well, maybe no, because Bob Ross unintentionally hilarious.

Should have waited to post until after I listened to the interview. Gotta say though, it was pretty awesome. I absolutely adore the idea of the comic for the third book.

It was really interesting hearing about how the story comes together with the two parts of the story – the story part and the present day Kvothe. Really just insight onto how all the different parts of the book come together is neat.

Oh, you should totally publish that first story you wrote. As horrible as you know it is, we’ll love it. :D

I couldn’t help but laugh. Yes, “labrynthine plotline” seems an adequate description, but I’m fairly certain it was far from effortless for you. Maybe more effortless than for most of the rest of us, though.

My wife and I loved Firefly. It would be awesome to bring it back, but would we pretend that Serenity never happened? I loved the cast of that series and several people met not so nice endings…

Also, the missile silo thing is pretty fracking cool too. And a bargain at a mere $2.8 million. From there we could terrorize Fox into surrendering the rights to Firefox without even giving them a penny (oh if only the missile was included in the sale, we could change the world one threat of nuclear annihilation at a time).

I saw this on Twitter a day or two ago and just about dropped to the floor. My hopes remain high, so be gentle with them. :)

I ordered my signed copy of The Wise Man’s Fear from Powell’s last night. I want to make it to your signing in PDX, but I most likely will not be able to go. What is these small creatures clinging to me – and why do they hinder me so? Okay, I really do love my kids. When they are old enough to behave themselves, I’ll bring them with me.

Here’s to the success of your second and (and dare I say it…) third books, and to the resurrection of Firefly!!!!

I advise you, Pat, to back out now. I understand the want to get this show back on air, it’s a magnificent show, but it’s just not possible. after Fox sees Fillion’s statement, they will milk the thing for all they’re worth. They won’t let the show go for cheap. Getting the original Actors, Writers, Directors, Crew, and everyone else involved will be impossible. The show would be ruined if one actor is gone, and it will be too different if there are different writers or directors. No one is going to want to be a part of a show that got cancelled (however upsetting it may be) a decade ago.

The money issue we’re talking about, is upwards of 100 million, just for the rights. let alone paying everyone more money to come back to the show, building sets, getting special effects done… there’s too much at stake for this to work.

Hopefully the rights would be much less. The rights to the terminator franchise recently sold for 30 million. It would be interesting to see if we (internet fans of firefly) can raise some of that. Disney was willing to sell miramax for 100 million but couldn’t get a buyer for that much, and mirimax owns the rights to 007 James Bond and The Hobbit.

Casting could be a problem. Fillion and the girl that plays Kalie (name currently escapes me) have both given a resounding yes. Summer might be an issue, as she seems to get plenty of work on her own.

Paul’s review was brilliant, in and of itself, thus I extend my congratulations on you and your books being its content. The only problem I have with it is it’s just one more fucking guy telling me how great Wise Man’s Fear is, and I don’t even have it to read yet.

What you do with your money is up to you, of course, but if you do buy Firefly, could you PLEASE change that abhorrent theme song? I’ve only seen the whole series once, although I own it, and I had to start fast forwarding through the theme song after the first episode. Or could you just take out the words? Or something?

Personally, if I win several million dollars, I’ll give you back all of the first edition copies I have of your works to auction off for Worldbuilders.

I dont know if youve ever caught an episode of Community, but Troy and Abed have a deal where if either of them die, the other will stage it as a suicide note caused by the unjust cancellation of Firefly.

I am (probalby) your only fan who hasn’t read a word of your opus. Despite the glowing reviews, the shelves of Madrid’s bookstores stacked with your novel (“14th Edition!” the jacket covers shout) I have yet to open the book(s) and dive in. Why? Well after G.R.R. Martin has broken my heart I promised myself that I wouldn’t start any book series that wasn’t finished.

So curious about your book, I’ve stumbled into your blog which I adore. I read it religiously and hoot and laugh up when I really should be working. This last blogpost has made my day, so thank you!

Please rest assured that I will buy hardcover editions of your book the second the series is finished, and if you ever come to Spain I will buy the ones available, wait hours in line to have them signed (you have a huge fanbase over here) and give them to my wife so that she’ll hide them until the last of the book comes out.

Wait. Did I send you an email to this effect already? I think so. Stupid memory.

After listening to the Sword and Laser bit, I am really curious on what you thought of the Hunger Games. In particular, if you read the whole series, how did you feel about the third and final book?

I felt as though the main character was no longer Katniss, but “War”. I can appreciate the authors desire to convey that War is evil. Unfortunately I felt that this message superseded everything that previously happened. I understand it was not meant to be a fairytale ending, nor did I want it to be. But I just felt hollow at the end, cheated even.

I confess that until I heard of this idea of yours I had not heard of you — I tend not to frequent bookshops these days, having enough series which I am following to keep me well supplied with reading material. But being a fan of Firefly I came, I saw, I read your sample chapter eight, and I have now ordered both books (having found that the chapter both made me chuckle and to keep reading, in spite of my general dislike of reading books on screen).

If the idea does go ahead, I would be willing to chip in (not with anything like that amount, I’m unlikely to see a percent of that in my life, but everything helps).

I dunno about a missile silo base…after reading Girl Genius I’m thinking Zeppelin Castle. Imagine the entrances you could make at conventions and book signings. Have a picture of you making crazy eyes painted on the side of it. Epic.

Can you tell me when your new book will become available in Canada? I need something awesome to read. Being a Canadian, if I get too bored because there’s no good book to read in the winter, I have a habit of drinking too much beer, stripping my clothes off and jumping into icy waters just for the rush of it. The problem is that this practice is very threatening to my general health and, the Great Canuck forbid, virility.

Love the fact that you dig Nathan Fillion. In my opinion, he should be Drake in the Uncharted Movie. Looking forward to your visit to The Borders in Oak Brook and cannot wait to bask in your awesomeness!

Reddit.com is behind you 100 percent. You start a charity for the fund raising of firefly and they will probably help. JUST NEVER GO TO REDDIT website gives viruses well not really it gives procrastination aids. And we wouldn’t want book 3 taking longer than it has to.

I think the funniest part of the whole interview with Nathan is the comments section below the actual article. Apparently it is considered sacrilege to diss Firefly, with the results being abuse laid upon your person. Lots of calling people fat and lonely if you didnt like the show. Speaking as someone who never say the show ( I was 12 when it was on and had better things to do) I look forward to seeing it aired

Patrick, First off, I have to say that Name of the Wind was epically awesome. I got it shortly after it came out, read it more than once, and have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. As if that wasn’t enough, you post this? Shit, you have to be my favorite author EVER now!!!!!!

Now hold on there pardner, not all of us live in the USA. There are frequent references made to people, books, shows etc on the blog and some of them never made it to Europe. Let alone out of the way places like South Africa, Australia or New Zealand.

Where I come from there are exactly four (4) television channels if you can’t afford satellite television, which the overwhelming majority cannot. So go easy on those who ask questions. It is after all the only way to learn about things.

Perfectly said. While reading this blog reminded me that I have yet to watch the brilliance I have heard about called Firefly, when I look it up on Netflix Canada, it’s not available and I believe it directed me to watch Dr. Who. Although I found that less offensive then it offering me Steamy Movies with a Strong Female Lead, is that even a real category?

Sir Rothfuss, when you come to Boston, you should have a sign at your table (or podium or throne) letting people know about your efforts to support new content for Firefly. It’ll let people who wouldn’t normally read your blog know what’s going on and get people AMPED!

Looks like there are already lots of people buying multiple copies just for the cause, and I’m gladly jumping in the wagon! More of your book, more of Firefly! There’s little that could be better.

Well Shit… this woulda made a great handsell tactic.
I regret, Sir, that my store will be closed or still limping through liquidation by the time WMF is released. I had such plans! I was going to defy the planogram and place WMF in the best display! ..and sneak in as many paragraphs as I could manage with the laydowns the monday before. /cough